California to screen EMT'ds for criminal backgrounds.

In Arkansas DOH has required fingerprints and a state and national check since before I came to EMS in 2001.


Tincanfireman said:
Easy there, big guy; no offense intended!

1. My point is that it's inherently unfair to repeatedly charge one group of people a fee to carry out their duties when another group is only assessed a (much smaller) one-time fee in their entire career. Both groups routinely make unescorted entry into other's domiciles and places of business in the course of their jobs, but EMT's are at a disadvantage because we need to recert every few years whereas FD does not. I have the (personal) feeling that it's one more example of a governmental agency using a mandated recertification requirement to generate funding. Keep in mind I've been in both fire and EMS over 25 years, so I'm certainly not picking sides here, and I agree wholeheartedly that there is nothing worse than a criminal dressed as a public servant performing their duties. Anyone who takes advantage of the sick or injured is beyond contempt.

2. Just illustrating that California is not alone in their requirements, with the hope that it would generate some thoughtful discussion on the current situation elsewhere, both inside and outside the US.
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crash_cart said:
I would be curious to know if there isn't some redundancy here. Do you have to pass a criminal background check in order to take your EMT class?
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Depends on what school you go too. My school did a check based on name, social security number, past addresses, and various other information you provided (they actually talked to my employer at the time). There was no fingerprinting done for that.
 
ABout that pure revenue thing...

I believe LA has a yearly license it charges topless dancers. My hometown near there was debating it.
Not that I'm equating EMS to topless dancing...
 
For my EMT class im required to do a Backround screening. They scan SSN, Criminal and one other
 
Like Kempo said, to take my EMT-B class I have to do a background check. I don't know about getting employed but I will find out in a few months once the class ends.
 
List of all the Live Scan locations
http://ag.ca.gov/fingerprints/publications/contact.htm

If worse comes to worse, just call up the local police station's non-emergent number and ask if they offer livescan or know of a local company that does. I got my livescans done at my university's PD.
 
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